Kings extend contract of Smart

Kings coach Keith Smart has found some job security as an NBA head coach in California’s state capital.

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Sacramento president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie announced Monday that the team has extended Smart’s contract through the 2012-13 season. The 47-year-old Smart replaced the fired Paul Westphal in early January – giving him another shot as a head coach after being let go by the Golden State Warriors last April.

Keeping Smart is another encouraging development for the franchise, which has a full financing plan in place for a new arena that could keep the Kings from leaving town. The City Council is set to vote on the plan Tuesday night.

The Kings, who lost 96-88 at Phoenix on Sunday, are 12-25 and have dropped eight of their last 10.